Aboard the Lucy Fisher: Sonder’s Summer on the Thames

A Victorian paddle steamer, a stretch of the Thames filled with stories and a cream tea waiting back at the Boathouse—it was the perfect setting for our latest Sonder day out.

Clients, carers and members of our office team came together at Runnymede Boathouse to board the Lucy Fisher, a replica Victorian paddle steamer. Once everyone was settled, we began our journey through one of Surrey’s most beautiful and historic areas.

The trip gave everyone the chance to slow down and enjoy the river. There were views to take in, boats and wildlife to spot, photographs to capture and, most importantly, plenty of time to talk. Clients chatted with familiar carers and members of the office team, while others got to know new faces along the way.

Our route took us upstream towards the ‘Bells of Ouzeley’, a riverside inn that appears in Jerome K. Jerome’s much-loved novel Three Men in a Boat. The story follows three friends—and their dog, Montmorency—as they attempt a boating holiday along the Thames. More than 130 years after the book was published, we were following part of the same river route, although our journey involved considerably fewer mishaps!

The Lucy Fisher then turned downstream, taking us past the memorials at Runnymede and towards the Pleasure Grounds. This peaceful stretch of the river has witnessed centuries of history. Runnymede is best known as the place where Magna Carta was sealed in 1215, establishing principles that would later influence ideas of freedom, justice and the rule of law across the world.

Back at Runnymede Boathouse, the afternoon continued over a cream tea. Everyone had time to sit together, enjoy the food and continue the conversations that had begun on board.

Our events are an opportunity for clients, carers and the wider Sonder team to enjoy life beyond the usual care visit. They help friendships develop naturally, keep people connected to their local community and give us experiences we can continue talking about long after the day has ended.

Thank you to everyone who joined us aboard the Lucy Fisher. The river views were beautiful and the cream tea went down very well—but sharing the afternoon with such good company was what made the trip truly memorable.